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July 05, 2025
 

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Sakura Murakami
Reuters
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 8, 2020
Masks, disinfectant, social distancing: Japan faces disasters amid pandemic
Authorities have been warning local officials for months to include virus measures in disaster preparations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 29, 2020
Japanese hotels lose out on Olympic bet as coronavirus spreads
The Osaka Corona Hotel has been eerily quiet and empty the past few weeks.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2020
Japan's next restroom revolution? Phasing out squat toilets for Tokyo 2020
On southwestern Miyajima island, Hiroshima Prefecture, a short walk from one of the country's most famous ancient temple sites, there's a brand new attraction for tourists — a state-of-the art public toilet block nearly as big as a tennis court.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / Outlook 2020
Jan 2, 2020
What will Abe do to cement his legacy?
If you look at Japan's 2020 political calendar now, it will look like it is going to be a relatively quiet one.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 12, 2019
Episode 32: What's the secret to Prime Minister Abe's longevity?
What has allowed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to stay in office for such a long time?
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 9, 2019
Abe granted brief respite as scandal-hit extraordinary Diet session draws to a close
During the course of the session two ministers resigned, a plan for reforming college English-language tests was withdrawn and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was accused of breaching election campaign laws.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 29, 2019
Diet deliberations slow as opposition hounds government over cherry blossom-viewing scandal
The opposition camp's boycotts over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's handling of the campaign violation affair is putting the ruling bloc under pressure as the extra Diet session comes to a close.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 27, 2019
Abe shows uncharacteristic openness in burasagari interviews, as looming year-end adds to pressure over recent scandals
Since reshuffling his Cabinet in September, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has seen two ministers resign in close succession amid scandal, the thwarting of an educational reform plan at the Diet, and debate about a referendum law key to constitutional revision grind to a halt.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 21, 2019
Abe's push to change Japan's Constitution hits roadblock as parties scrap Diet discussion
LDP sources have said the party has all but given up hope of passing the bill this year, reports have said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 20, 2019
Abe becomes Japan's longest-serving prime minister
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became the nation's longest serving prime minister on Wednesday, beating previous record holder Taro Katsura by having served for a total of 2,887 days.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 1, 2019
Lawmakers from Japan and South Korea push for top-down resolution to crumbling bilateral ties
About a year after South Korean courts ordered Japanese companies to compensate for the emotional suffering of Korean wartime laborers, lawmakers from both countries Friday agreed on the need to halt the deterioration in ties and called on their leaders to resolve the stalemate at a summit.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 31, 2019
Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai resigns over wife's alleged election law breach
The resignation marks the second departure from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet in just a week after trade minister Isshu Sugawara resigned Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2019
Japan and South Korea deny reports of joint fund to address wartime labor issue
Top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga emphatically denied the report, saying it is “not factually true,” while a senior Foreign Ministry official claimed the report is “an outright lie.”
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 25, 2019
Japan trade chief Isshu Sugawara exits amid allegations he broke election campaign law
A tabloid's expose on a funeral gift to a supporter ousts the METI chief after just a month and a half in office.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 24, 2019
Breakthrough elusive as Abe meets South Korean prime minister amid strained bilateral ties
Abe told Lee that the two countries were important neighbors and it was vital they work together to address North Korea's nuclear program.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 23, 2019
Episode 27: The enthronement of Emperor Naruhito — pomp, splendor and a ¥16 billion bill
Emperor Naruhito became Japan's 126th emperor at an enthronement ceremony on Oct. 22, 2019. Japan Times politics reporter Sakura Murakami joins Oscar Boyd to discuss.
JAPAN
Oct 22, 2019
Emperor Naruhito completes enthronement in ceremony rich with history and ritual
Sokui no Rei is one of the major events in a series of ceremonies and rites scheduled throughout the year following Emperor Naruhito's accession.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 18, 2019
Japan's SDF to head for Mideast waters, but Tokyo steers clear of U.S.-led coalition
Self-Defense Forces ships and planes will patrol the Gulf of Oman and other areas but avoid the U.S.-led coalition protecting shipping interests in the strategic waters.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 18, 2019
Pomp and splendor: What to expect from the ceremonies for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement
To the joy of some, and perhaps the surprise of others, next Tuesday is a one-off national holiday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Oct 16, 2019
Plastic reuse the most efficient way to solve marine waste issue, experts say
Although marine plastic has become a prominent environmental issue in recent years, plastic is too valuable a resource to ever truly go away, so effectively managing such waste and placing it in a circular economy system would be the most efficient way to solve the issue, experts at a Tokyo seminar said...
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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